An Athens man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Texas. Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs announced that James Kiser, 40, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and received a 70-month sentence from U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on July 10, 2025.
Court records indicate that Kiser was arrested on October 19, 2023, after selling approximately 34 grams of methamphetamine for $500 cash. Further investigation showed Kiser had 27 prior convictions in Henderson and Smith counties.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.
